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In 2013, CPD worked with our partner Make the Road New York, in coalition with several other local organizations and local legislators, to create the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP...

In 2013, CPD worked with our partner Make the Road New York, in coalition with several other local organizations and local legislators, to create the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP) -- the nation's first publicly funded universal representation program for detained immigrants in removal proceedings. Since then, CPD's partners and allies across the country have been working to replicate NYIFUP in their own cities.

Since the November election, these efforts have moved into high gear. CPD is part of the California Coalition for Universal Representation, which has been advocating for the allocation of state and municipal funds to provide immigrants with lawyers. In December, in response to our coalition advocacy and in recognition of the new urgency to protect immigrant communities, the city of Los Angeles announced the creation of the LA Justice Fund to create a NYIFUP style access to counsel program to serve LA area immigrants. The city has committed $2 million, and the county Board of Supervisors voted in January to commit $3 million to the fund.

The city hopes to supplement this investment with philanthropic contributions. San Francisco has proposed a similar program, to be run in collaboration with the local public defender's office. Outside of California, CPD is working with local organizations in Boston and the DC area to establish programs there as well.

CPD is thrilled to announce that Maya Wiley has joined our Board of Directors! Maya is a nationally renowned expert on racial justice and equity. She has litigated, lobbied Congress, and developed...

CPD is thrilled to announce that Maya Wiley has joined our Board of Directors! Maya is a nationally renowned expert on racial justice and equity. She has litigated, lobbied Congress, and developed programs to transform structural racism in both the United States and South Africa. Maya is currently Senior Vice President for Social Justice at the New School and the Henry Cohen Professor of Urban Policy and Management at the New School’s Milano School of International Affairs, Management & Urban Policy. She is also Chair of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) - the independent oversight agency for the City’s Police Department.

Previously, Maya served as Counsel to the Mayor of the City of New York from 2014-2016. As Mayor Bill de Blasio’s chief legal advisor and a member of his Senior Cabinet, Wiley was placed at the helm of the Mayor’s commitment to expanding affordable broadband access across New York City, advancing civil and human rights and gender equity, and increasing the effectiveness of the City's support for Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprises. During her tenure, she also served as the Mayor's liaison to the Mayor's Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.

Before her position with the de Blasio Administration, Maya was the Founder and President of the Center for Social Inclusion. She has also worked for the Open Society Foundation, the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. She holds a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law and a B.A in psychology from Dartmouth College.

Maya is excited to join the CPD network, explaining that, “At a time when our democratic institutions are at risk and our communities are being stereotyped and are under attack, we must work from the bottom up to protect our values and work proactively for justice. CPD and all its partners are critical to resisting hate and fostering fairness. I can't think of a better way to serve change than to serve on the CPD Board." Please join us in welcoming Maya to our Board of Directors!

As Congress rushes forward with its repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), CPD is organizing a major demonstration in Washington D.C., on Thursday, March 23, 2017. It is now clear that Congress...

As Congress rushes forward with its repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), CPD is organizing a major demonstration in Washington D.C., on Thursday, March 23, 2017. It is now clear that Congress intends to repeal the ACA regardless of the shape and form of the proposed alternative and regardless of how many millions of people this will leave without access to health care. Our demonstration on March 23 is our opportunity to resist, to stand up for the millions who may soon lose their coverage and to demonstrate to Congress the sheer scale of opposition across the nation to this attack on our people and our communities.

As frustration grows in all corners of the country over plans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, concerned Americans took the fight directly to the Capitol to confront their elected officials. On...

As frustration grows in all corners of the country over plans to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, concerned Americans took the fight directly to the Capitol to confront their elected officials. On Tuesday, January 31 constituents—including local activists, faith leaders, nurses and home care workers mounted a series of protests through Capitol office buildings—filling hallways, cafeterias, and member offices—in an effort to force Senators to respond to constituents whose health care they are threatening to dismantle.

CPD partners, Ole from New Mexico, Make the Road PA, Texas Organizing Project and Arkansas Community Organization all took part in the demonstration, with CPD staff supporting with logistics and action coordination.

Check out a live stream from the day’s events on CPD Action’s Facebook page!

CPD partner Organize Florida joined with local allies to organize an emergency action on January 29 in Ybor City, Tampa, a city built by Cuban and Italian immigrants. A crowd of more than a 100...

CPD partner Organize Florida joined with local allies to organize an emergency action on January 29 in Ybor City, Tampa, a city built by Cuban and Italian immigrants. A crowd of more than a 100 showed up chanting to protect immigrants and refugees.

Three local officials - House Representative Sean Shaw, City Council Member Guido Maniscalco, and newly elected City Council Member Luis Viera each spoke about the urgent need to stand up for justice. Two women from CAIR, a Syrian American and a Lebanese American, told their stories to the crowd. Standing behind a banner that said “Because We Love We Will Resist” held by Muslim women, all 450 attendees took up both lanes of traffic marching down 7th Avenue, the busiest main street in Ybor, successfully holding up traffic for more than an hour in front of the gathered media.

On January 28 and 29, a number of CPD partners organized protests around the country in response to Trump’s immigrant ban. In NYC, Make the Road New York organized a rapid response action with the...

On January 28 and 29, a number of CPD partners organized protests around the country in response to Trump’s immigrant ban. In NYC, Make the Road New York organized a rapid response action with the New York Immigration Coalition and Arab American Association of New York at JFK Terminal 4 to protest the Muslim ban executive order, with thousands of protesters attending.

Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to reverse an earlier decision to restrict passage aboard the JFK Airport AirTrain to ticketed passengers and airport employees only. He also instructed state police and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to assist with security and transportation for protesters. "The people of New York will have their voices heard," Cuomo said.

In Washington, D.C., CPD Partner CASA organized the rally at Dulles airport and participated in another protest at BWI airport. CASA also organized a rally and press conference in Annapolis with Maryland Attorney General Frosh and local senators and delegates. Furthermore, CASA is now working on sanctuary or welcoming ordinances in York, PA, and in Baltimore, Montgomery, Prince George and Howard Counties.

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights organized two days of protests at Chicago’s O'Hare airport. Over 1,500 people showed up for the protest which resulted in all detainees being released. In New Jersey, Make the Road New Jersey organized a 1,000 person demonstration in front of the Elizabeth Detention Center in Elizabeth, NJ to celebrate the New Jersey elected officials who have pledged to make their cities Sanctuary cities and the state of New Jersey a Sanctuary State. Senator Cory Booker also joined the protest in Elizabeth.

In Orlando, FL, Organize Florida worked with CAIR to organize a protest at Orlando International Airport, which drew a crowd of 1,500 people.

Read more about these actions in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and CNN.

On Tuesday, February 14, the Fed Up campaign held a rally with members of its coalition and concerned members of the public before Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s congressional testimony....

On Tuesday, February 14, the Fed Up campaign held a rally with members of its coalition and concerned members of the public before Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s congressional testimony. Partners in attendance included One Pennsylvania, Make the Road Action, New York Communities for Change, SPACES, Action NC, and MORE. During the rally, community members dressed as Donald Trump and as a Goldman Sachs swamp monsters to illustrate how the Financial CHOICE Act would crash the economy and stop the Fed from pursuing full employment.

During the rally, which was held inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building, coalition members discussed how the proposed Financial CHOICE Act undermines workers’ ability to get the wages and jobs they need, as well as its potential to lead the U.S. economy to another devastating financial crisis. Maria Rubio of Make the Road NY spoke of her life as an immigrant and a domestic worker. Tyrone Ferguson of One Pennsylvania spoke of how he lost his home due to the last financial crash.

The Fed Up coalition brings the voices of working families and communities of color to economic policymakers at the Federal Reserve and in Congress. The coalition urges policymakers to focus on full employment and communities left behind by the recovery from the financial crisis.

If enacted, the Financial CHOICE Act will lay the groundwork for further corporate control over the Federal Reserve and undermine the full employment mandate. This combination of deregulation and interference with the Federal Reserve would mean millions of jobs lost, lower wages, and devastation for workers.

Check out photos and video from the rally on the CPD and CPD Action Twitter feeds.

After Uber attempted to break a taxi worker strike following Trump’s Executive Order travel ban, CPD affiliates, and other community organizations organized #UberRidesWithHate protests at Uber...

After Uber attempted to break a taxi worker strike following Trump’s Executive Order travel ban, CPD affiliates, and other community organizations organized #UberRidesWithHate protests at Uber offices around the country on February 3, demanding that the ride-sharing company stop collaborating with the Trump administration. The protests took place across California including, Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Diego, as well as New Orleans, LA, Seattle, WA and Hoboken, NJ. The protests were met with a swift and direct response, as Uber’s CEO Travis Kalanick announced he would step down from Trump’s economic advisory council.

Following the success of the Uber protests, CPD is calling for a continuation of resistance efforts in response to Trump’s divisive and discriminatory policies. On Tuesday, February 14, CPD and its allies including Organize Florida and ACCE, together with a host of national allies, protested against the Disney Corporation at locations across the country. Following the lead of Orlando Disney workers and Orlando community groups, the social justice groups called on Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger to step down from his role as a member of Trump’s economic advisory council. The coalition collected over 390,000 petition signatures, demanding Iger leave the council.

“Disney has the power to take a stand against Trump and support a happy ending for all families. They must follow in Uber’s footsteps and quit the economic advisory council instead of collaborating with Trump and his authoritarian, hateful, anti-immigrant regime,” said Jennifer Epps-Addison, Network President and Co-Executive Director for the Center for Popular Democracy.

This is only the first step in what will be a long term fight to protect the health and well-being of all our communities — immigrants, people of color, minimum wage workers, and the LGBT community. Disney is one of more than a dozen other corporations still on Trump’s economic advisory council. CPD aims to hold each and every one of them to account.

Check out photos from protest in Orlando and New York City on our Facebook page!

Today, as the previously unthinkable becomes a terrifying and sad reality, let us pause for a moment to reflect on the United States we love and believe in.
We believe in a country...

Today, as the previously unthinkable becomes a terrifying and sad reality, let us pause for a moment to reflect on the United States we love and believe in.

We believe in a country where all workers deserve a living wage and a safe, dignified place to work. Our America is one that welcomes and protects immigrants. Our America does not discriminate against people based on the color of their skin or the faith they profess, but instead looks to nurture the hopes and aspirations of all. Our America is one where women and LGBTQ individuals have full and equal access to all our society’s rights and privileges. Our America is one where all Americans, regardless of race or wealth are entitled to full participation in our democracy, and where government works for the many, not the few. Our America sees inequality, injustice and poverty and asks how has this come to pass and demands better.

In our America, society is built on the principles of love and respect, not hatred and greed.

We know that building and exercising collective power at the local, state and federal levels can and will transform the political landscape, bringing our vision of America into being.

CPD builds the power of communities to ensure our country embodies our vision of an inclusive, equitable society: where people of color, immigrants, working families, women, and LGBTQ communities thrive together, supported by a fair and resilient economy, and political institutions that reflect our priorities. CPD’s role is especially important at a time when our communities are being threatened and the institutions that sustain us are under attack.

The transformative promise of community-based people-power is why we won’t stop. We must continue to strengthen our collective power to promote and protect our communities.

Whether you’ll be hitting the streets with the hundreds of thousands of others marching across the country or finding your own way of taking action, we need you to get involved with CPD.

Pledge to fight back with our sister organization, CPD Action, and subscribe to their email list. You’ll be kept updated on actionable items and events, receive resources for contacting your elected officials, and contribute to campaigns that expand the voice and power of workers, communities of color, and immigrants on issues of economic and racial justice.

Of course, none of this is possible without generous financial support. If you’re able to, please help CPD strengthen our community organizing efforts with a contribution to our network today.

Through our collective action we can and will transform America to the country of our hopes and aspirations.

Thousands of people gathered last Thursday afternoon in Philadelphia to protest plans by Republican members of Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The protest coincided with the first meeting...

Thousands of people gathered last Thursday afternoon in Philadelphia to protest plans by Republican members of Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The protest coincided with the first meeting of President Donald Trump and House and Senate Republicans at the annual Republican congressional retreat. The protest began with a march from the Thomas Paine Plaza to the Loews Hotel, the location of the Republican retreat.

CPD affiliates, One Pennsylvania and Make the Road PA, anchored the coalition work that brought together members of VOCAL NY, NYCC, CASA, DACA, MRNY, MRNJ, MRCT, our friends at SEIU Healthcare PA, and many others that showed up in full force, loud, feisty, and proud. The protesters convened to protect the health and well-being of all people— including immigrants, people of color, minimum wage workers, and the LGBTQ community.

Protesters also challenged Trump’s executive actions to build a border wall with Mexico, de-fund sanctuary cities, and illegally curb immigration from Muslim countries. “This is not an agenda that represents the people. We are a nation of immigrants and diverse communities that only make this country stronger. We reject President Trump’s platform of fear and intolerance and are united in defense of our communities,” said Ana Maria Archila, Co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy.

“Any attempts to take away our health care will be met with stiff resistance,” Salewa Ogunmefun, Political Director for One Pennsylvania. “We will not stand for an agenda that perpetuates greed and division at the expense of insuring millions of our most vulnerable citizens. Today we made it clear that we will continue to stand together in the face of this injustice. We will not go backwards.”

CPD helped organize the action and lent digital support with 250,000 people tuning in on CPD Action’s live Facebook stream, reaching more than one million timelines over 18 hours. The action was also a top Twitter moment! Check out photos from the day’s event here.

CPD Impact

Nov 2016: During 2016, the Federal Reserve made an historic shift in how it makes the most important economic decisions in the country. For the first time they are taking into account low-income communities of color. For the past 100 years the Fed has been dominated by white, male, corporate executives who have cared little about building an economy that works for everyone.